A new white paper from PHIT America called “The $7 Billion+ Issue?” explores to what extent the recent spate of bankruptcies in the sporting goods sector can be traced to fewer people exercising and playing sports.

In the report, PHIT America estimates that the industry has lost 10 million participants and $7 billion in retail sales in recent years. Jim Baugh, founder, PHIT America, argues that while expanding online sales will continue to disrupt the traditional sporting goods retail channel in the years ahead, the trend towards less active lives and reduced sports participation continues to have a “dramatic” impact on the industry.

Said Baugh, “Until more people and more companies step up to help create more physically active, fit and healthy Americans, the trend of increasing physical inactivity will continue.”

The white paper can be downloaded here.